What is a prototype?

A prototype is a preliminary model of something. Projects that offer physical products need to show backers documentation of a working prototype. This gallery features photos, videos, and other visual documentation that will give backers a sense of what’s been accomplished so far and what’s left to do. Though the development process can vary for each project, these are the stages we typically see:

Proof of Concept

Explorations that test ideas and functionality.

Functional Prototype

Demonstrates the functionality of the final product, but looks different.

Appearance Prototype

Looks like the final product, but is not functional.

Design Prototype

Appearance and function match the final product, but is made with different manufacturing methods.

Production Prototype

Appearance, function, and manufacturing methods match the final product.

Prototype Gallery

These photos and videos provide a detailed look at this project’s development.

About

Hi. My name is Scott Hoyt. I'm a thermodynamics expert and the founder of Maluna.

Last year, it was clear to me that the available "premium" coolers were just not good enough. So I built a better one. With an innovative, patent-pending "unhinged" design, the Maluna holds ice more than 23% longer than the leading competition.

We launched that campaign here, on Kickstarter, and raised almost 300% of our total funding goal. Weeks later we were sending out our first orders and we shipped out over 2,000 coolers on time, within 4 months of launching our campaign.

Now, one year later, we're back.

Maluna sells coolers from 40 quarts all the way up to the 111. Early this year, I began to apply everything I had learned in developing the Unhinged Cooler to create the best 20-quart cooler available. That's when Abraham Engholm, one of our original Kickstarter backers who is a veteran, said "why not make it a 22 for veterans" and that's when it started. So many of our Maluna supporters are veterans or serve in the military and we offer them a special discount but we wanted to do something more.

Each day, an average of 22 veterans and members of the military takes their own lives. That's one person every 65 minutes. Over the past several years, there's been an increasing effort among groups and organizations all over the country to reach out and help "end the 22 a day."

We've partnered with veterans and our friends at The Fallen Outdoors. They're a 100 percent volunteer organization that coordinates outdoor events for veterans. They have over 40,000 veteran members and organize thousands of events each year. Every Maluna Combat 22 sold will help contribute toward creating more to benefit veterans. Together, we can help veterans connect with the outdoors and each other.

Geoffrey Rhodes is a Veteran, original Maluna Kickstarter backer, and now a friend that helped get this project started.

USE OF FUNDS

The funds raised through this campaign will be used to bring this project to life and make new innovative coolers. 100% of the proceeds from this campaign will be used to ship Combat 22 coolers to you, our backers, and to veteran organizations like The Fallen Outdoors. This is completely a volunteer effort on behalf of the project creator and Maluna.

UNHINGED PERFORMANCE

The Maluna Combat 22 cooler features a patent pending "unhinged" design that allows full perimeter tensioning for the ultimate performance. Thermal chamber testing shows the cooler holds ice more than 23% longer than the leading competitor.

Maluna® Unhinged Cooler® vs Yeti® Tundra®

Last year, we put the Unhinged Cooler® against the Yeti® Tundra® in a laboratory environment inside a thermal chamber and published the results on our website. Each cooler was identically filled with a case of beer, 22 pounds of ice, several calibrated thermal probe data recorders, and placed in a 100º F controlled thermal chamber. Performance, as measured as the amount of hours before the temperature inside each cooler increased, shows that Maluna held ice for more than 23% longer duration.

COOL UNDER PRESSURE

The Maluna Combat 22 cooler features a hidden patent pending pressure regulator that maximizes any pressure differential that can make it difficult to open a high performance cooler. The pressure regulator is hidden behind the bottle opener and doesn't require any user intervention. These pressure differentials can result from changes in elevation or temperatures. We conducted a user study to determine what pressure differential is the maximum amount before it becomes uncomfortable to open a cooler and calibrated the regulator to exactly that amount.

ERGONOMIC HANDLES

Ergonomic handles make it easy and comfortable to carry your cooler. Inside the handles, molded in polyurethane foam adheres to the shell creating structure. That provides a spot to put a cable lock through it to prevent theft. The handles also provide an ability to strap down your cooler on the sides and still be able to access contents without having to strap over the lid. On the Combat 22, each handle includes a slot for an adjustable strap so that you can hand carry it above the top ---- or loosen the strap and carry it over your shoulder.

ULTRA PORTABLE

LIFETIME GUARANTEE

Kickstarter is not a store. When you back a project, your are helping bring it to life, and in exchange I will send you a 'reward' as a gift. I cannot contractually apply a warranty to these gifts. However, we do guarantee to you that whatever failures in workmanship or materials might happen in the future, Maluna stands by the Combat 22 and will correct it in the same fashion as any warranty Maluna has in place on similar products. That includes a lifetime guarantee on all Maluna coolers.

SHIPPING

Shipping is included in the pledge amount. Right now, we are only shipping to the contiguous United States but we're working on other options for the future. If you are in Hawaii or Alaska and are interested in a Maluna Combat 22, please let us know. Contact Us

SPECIAL THANKS

This campaign would not be happening without the passion and contributions of an extremely dedicated group of veterans who are members of the Maluna community. Robin Engholm, Geoffrey Rhodes, and Abraham Engholm in particular shared so much of their time, insights, and experiences so that this project could help as many others as possible. No words can convey enough gratitude so we'll simply say: Thank you.

Risks and challenges

We've been planning this project for months and are extremely confident in our ability to deliver these rewards to backers as expected and on time. This being our second Kickstarter project, we have experience with the survey process and turning around product on a tight production schedule. Last year, when we launched the Maluna Unhinged Cooler, we shipped over 2,000 coolers within 4 months of our campaign's launch. Since then, we've shipped out thousands more. We have a dedicated manufacturing facility that's ready to produce and fulfillment partners that are ready to ship.

As with every project though, you have to leave room for the unexpected. We're confident that the team we have in place has the experience to handle anything thrown at them (knock on wood) but I, Scott, personally pledge to you that I will communicate openly and honestly if anything does not go as planned.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $150 or more
About $150

Maluna Combat 22 - December

$150 for one Maluna Combat 22 -- the best cooler ever made in its most portable size ever and proceeds will be used to create a Combat 22 for you and also contribute to the creation of Combat 22 coolers for veteran organizations. The Maluna Combat 22 includes a commemorative badge and comes in military-inspired colors.

If you would like more than one reward, please increase your pledge amount by the appropriate amount. You may choose to provide an additional contribution of any amount. You will receive a survey at the conclusion of the campaign, which you may clarify which additional rewards you would like (excluding the Elite Combat 22). Shipping destination for multiple items may be split at time of survey.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $150 or more
About $150

Maluna Combat 22 TFO Edition - December

$150 for one Maluna Combat 22 TFO Edition -- the best cooler ever made in its most portable size ever and proceeds will be used to create a special TFO Edition Combat 22 for you and also contribute to the creation of TFO Combat 22 coolers specifically for The Fallen Outdoors. The Maluna Combat 22 includes a commemorative badge designed by volunteers at The Fallen Outdoors and comes in military-inspired colors.

If you would like more than one reward, please increase your pledge amount by the appropriate amount. You may choose to provide an additional contribution of any amount. You will receive a survey at the conclusion of the campaign, which you may clarify which additional rewards you would like (excluding the Elite Combat 22). Shipping destination for multiple items may be split at time of survey.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $180 or more
About $180

Maluna Combat 22 Memorial Edition, Dec

$180 for one Maluna Combat 22 Memorial Edition -- the best cooler ever made in its most portable size ever and proceeds will be used to create a personalized Memorial Combat 22 for you and also contribute to the creation of Combat 22 coolers for veteran organizations. . The Maluna Combat 22 comes in military-inspired colors and includes an individually customized memorial badged to honor a fallen veteran. Your chosen name to be laser etched on the badge will be submitted at the conclusion of a successful campaign in the 'survey'.

If you would like more than one reward, please increase your pledge amount by the appropriate amount. You may choose to provide an additional contribution of any amount. You will receive a 'survey' at the conclusion of the campaign, which you may clarify which additional rewards you would like (excluding the Elite Combat 22). Shipping destination for multiple items may be split at time of survey.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $150 or more
About $150

Maluna Combat 22

$150 for one Maluna Combat 22 -- the best cooler ever made in its most portable size ever and proceeds will be used to create a Combat 22 for you and also contribute to the creation of Combat 22 coolers for veteran organizations. The Maluna Combat 22 includes a commemorative badge and comes in military-inspired colors.

If you would like more than one reward, please increase your pledge amount by the appropriate amount. You may choose to provide an additional contribution of any amount. You will receive a survey at the conclusion of the campaign, which you may clarify which additional rewards you would like (excluding the Elite Combat 22). Shipping destination for multiple items may be split at time of survey.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $150 or more
About $150

Maluna Combat 22 TFO Edition

$150 for one Maluna Combat 22 TFO Edition -- the best cooler ever made in its most portable size ever and proceeds will be used to create a special TFO Edition Combat 22 for you and also contribute to the creation of TFO Combat 22 coolers specifically for The Fallen Outdoors. The Maluna Combat 22 includes a commemorative badge designed by volunteers at The Fallen Outdoors and comes in military-inspired colors.

If you would like more than one reward, please increase your pledge amount by the appropriate amount. You may choose to provide an additional contribution of any amount. You will receive a survey at the conclusion of the campaign, which you may clarify which additional rewards you would like (excluding the Elite Combat 22). Shipping destination for multiple items may be split at time of survey.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $180 or more
About $180

Maluna Combat 22 Memorial Edition

$180 for one Maluna Combat 22 Memorial Edition -- the best cooler ever made in its most portable size ever and proceeds will be used to create a personalized Memorial Combat 22 for you and also contribute to the creation of Combat 22 coolers for veteran organizations. . The Maluna Combat 22 comes in military-inspired colors and includes an individually customized memorial badged to honor a fallen veteran. Your chosen name to be laser etched on the badge will be submitted at the conclusion of a successful campaign in the 'survey'.

If you would like more than one reward, please increase your pledge amount by the appropriate amount. You may choose to provide an additional contribution of any amount. You will receive a 'survey' at the conclusion of the campaign, which you may clarify which additional rewards you would like (excluding the Elite Combat 22). Shipping destination for multiple items may be split at time of survey.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $500 or more
About $500

Maluna Elite Combat 22 (Limited Edition)

$500 for one Limited Edition Maluna Elite Combat 22. Includes a special 'Elite' badge and comes in a special color with special artwork. A special strap will be included with each Elite 22. Only 22 will be manufactured with 20 offered as rewards, and 2 being gifted as a sign of gratitude to veterans Geoff Rhodes and Robin Engholm who are the veterans who were key to creating this project. Each Elite Combat 22 will be individually numbered 1 through 20 and both Geoff and Robin will receive number 22.

All proceeds will be used to create Combat 22 coolers for your rewards and also create Combat 22 coolers for veteran organizations.

If you would like more than one reward, please increase your pledge amount by the appropriate amount. You may choose to provide an additional contribution of any amount. You will receive a survey at the conclusion of the campaign, which you may clarify which additional rewards you would like (excluding additional Elite Combat 22). Shipping destination for multiple items may be split at time of survey.